We are very excited to share this incredible journey with you!
Between December 27, 2011 and January 10, 2012, check in here everyday
for the latest expedition blogs, photos and videos!

Building on the legacy of the International Polar Year in advance of the IPY 2012 Conference From Knowledge to Action, the SOI Antarctic Youth Expedition 2011 is one of the most comprehensive youth expeditions ever undertaken to Antarctica!

The Students on Ice program provides youth from around the world with educational expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Our mandate is to educate and inspire the next generation of polar scientists, environmental leaders and social innovators – and in doing so, help to provide them with a greater understanding and respect for the planet.

Since 2000, over 1,800 high school and university students from forty-eight countries have visited the polar regions with the Students on Ice program. To learn more about the program visit our main website, studentsonice.com.

The ship-based journey will explore southern South America, the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding Southern Ocean. It will involve 60 students, aged 14-19, as well as an international team of staff, consisting of 30 scientists, historians, artists, explorers, authors, educators, leaders, innovators and polar experts. The expedition will include northern aboriginal youth, as well as participants from countries around the world.

While on the expedition, participants will encounter wildlife, including whales, seals, penguins and other seabirds; visit scientific research stations; learn about the effects of climate change on Antarctic and global ecosystems; consider scientific and other knowledge system perspectives; and participate in interdisciplinary and hands-on educational and research activities.

Every day of the expedition will be inspiring and different from the last. Activities include shore landings, hikes, station visits, Zodiac cruises, and ship-based exploration. The education program will involve presentations, workshops, seminars, small group discussions and much, much more!

Expedition Themes

A Students on Ice expedition brings together environmental and civic education, immersion in a learning community, personal leadership development, and plenty of polar adventure!

The main themes of the expedition include:

YOUTH... have a key role to play in shaping the world of today and the world of tomorrow.

ADVENTURE... that follows the southward path of polar explorers.

EXPLORATION
... of self, community, powerful ideas and Antarctica.

SUSTAINABILITY
… is an imperative that should inform our decisions. By making sustainable choices and taking action, we can arrive at the best possible outcomes for the planet, humans and other living things, now and in the future.

CREATIVITY & INNOVATION
… means thinking about new ideas and doing things differently. They are important across all sectors of society including arts, sciences and the transition from brown economies to green economies.

CHANGE
…is happening rapidly in the polar regions, places of special importance to the planet. While global climate has changed over millennia, it is the rate of modern climate change that is alarming. Peoples’ capacity to choose, mitigate and adapt to particular changes will inform the future of the polar regions.

This expedition is a unique opportunity for participating youth to expand their knowledge of the Antarctic and to gain new global perspective of the planet, its wonders, and its present and future challenges.

Students on Ice is an award-winning organization offering unique educational expeditions to the Arctic and the Antarctic. Our mandate is to provide students, educators and scientists from around the world with inspiring educational opportunities at the ends of the Earth and, in doing so, help them foster a new understanding and respect for the planet.

This year marks SOI’s 11th anniversary! Since 2000, SOI has taken more than 1,800 high school and university students, scientists and educators to the Arctic and Antarctic from 48 countries on these unique expeditions.

For those interested in joining an upcoming Students on Ice Arctic or Antarctic expedition, please visit ourmain website or contact our office.